The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-11-08


struggled was only about five feet from the
floor, aid could easily look ont.
The slit was too narrow to allow q very ex-
tended range to my vision but l could see that
was confined on the water side of the fort
and directly fronting the shipping. But this
fact afforded me little consolation, for / felt
sure that should only leave this dreary dun
geon to march to my DEATH
was gazing wistfully out through the tiny
aperture when heard the heavy bolt thrown
back and the ponderous door swung open upon
Its rusty hinges; and turn ng was confronted
by an officer and file of soldiers armed with
muskets. The officer, with drawn sword step
ped into the cell, and in pompous manner
ordered me to "fall in and we took up our
march through the tortuous paSsage-way to
the light Of day above.
Issuing from the underground labyrinth of
corridors we emerged into q spacious square
across which was conducted and placed with
my back against the stone face of wall, while
the soldiers were drawn up in line few PAGES
in front of me.
Several soldiers now appeared carrying
table and some light camp-stools which they
placed quite near me but little to one side and
then retired; two of them almost Immediately
returned bearing that grim symbol Of death, a
coffin.
That my time had come I was certain, but
resolved to make a vigorous protest against
such summary measures, and called loudly for
a hearing. But l might have saved my
slrehgtn, lor my proteStatlonS were not taken
the slightest notice Of
Presently a number of officers appeared
crossing the plaza, and to my unspeakable re-
lief recognized the American consul in their
midst.
was thelrto be granted the semblance of
a trial at least.
The officials wasted no time in further cere.
mony, but seating themselves at the table
began at once by one of their number reading
the indictment. which was repeated in English
by an interpreter. and which accused me of
"aiding and abetting the Cuban Insurgents,
who were in arms against their lawful sover-
eign the King of Spain, by delivering into the
hands of one of the chiefs of the insurgents,
incendiary papers to incite the people of Cuba
to further deeds OF violence against the COVER
nment, and also money to enable them to
carry on deSultory warfare"
To have attempted to disguise anything or
withhold any part of my share in the unfortu-
nate affair knew would be disastrous to my
cause; SO told my story straightforward from
beginning to end and the cousul L saw, was
faithfully translating it.
Several times, l afterwards learned, the
party employed as interpreter construed my
language so as to make me appear much more
guilty than l really was.
The fact that / had concealed the presence
OF the bag in my cabin from the officers, and
then stealthily conveyed it ashore and deliv-
cred 1t to the address upon it. was strong,
very strong point against me, and 1t required
all the eioquence OF the consul to prove that
was ignorant Of the contents OF the bag.
8 III the prisoner had been aware what was
within the bag, would he have dared to hare
taken it to thirteen Plaza di POGO in broad
daylight, when the plaza is full OF soldiers and
members OF the secret seryice?" asked my
conntryman and defender.
This argument bore weight. For some ten
minutes the officers conversed apart, while the
consul did his best to cheer me up.
When everything had been fixed apparently
TO their satisfaction, an elderly soldier, one
who seemed TO be chief among my judges
arose, and in lengthy speech imposed my
sentence.
The court had fonnd that had been but an
unwilling agent, and therefore was not wholly